THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN SALICYL DERIVATIVES ON THE ISOLATED HEARTS OF FROGS AND TURTLES

¹ From the Department of Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

A perfusion study was made of the action of various salicylate derivatives on the isolated hearts of frogs and turtles.

1. Acetyl-salicylic acid proved highly toxic. When neutralized, this became practically non toxic.

2. Sodium salicylate was found to be more toxic than acetyl-sodium-salicylate of the same concentration.

3. Solutions of acetyl-sodium-salicylate decompose on standing, become acid and more toxic.

4. Solutions of methyl and ethyl salicylate in buffered slightly alkaline Ringer's solution were more toxic than any of the other members studied.

5. These studies indicate (a) that salicylates should not be prescribed in solution except for immediate use; (b) that alkalies should always be administered with them; (c) that ethyl and methyl salicylates should be used with the greatest care.